Sturbridge fire chief search nets three semi-finalists

STURBRIDGE — The controversial and sometimes combustible absence of a permanent fire chief seems to be in the homestretch, with three semifinalists for the post to be interviewed Nov. 7.

Sturbridge Police Chief Thomas J. Ford III has been serving as acting fire chief since April 25. He replaced Chief Leonard E. Senecal, a 35-year veteran of the force, who was placed on paid administrative leave April 22 after a consultant's report critical of his management. Chief Senecal retired May 17.

In a 3-2 vote on June 3, the Board of Selectmen appointed the retired Sturbridge Fire Capt. Edward G. Bourassa as the town's temporary deputy fire chief. However, on Tuesday Mr. Bourassa resigned.

In his resignation letter, Mr. Bourassa, who refers to himself as a "proud retired member of the once-strong Sturbridge Fire Department," said the department is "being run by fear and intimidation by a misdirected, unpredictable police chief."

Two days after the Bourassa bombshell, the Fire Chief Search Committee announced that Spencer Fire Chief Robert P. Parsons is one of three semifinalists for the fire chief in Sturbridge.

In addition to Chief Parsons, those vying for the top spot are Timothy E. Regan, fire/EMS chief for the National Park Service in New York and New Jersey, and Robert A. Talloni, the former fire chief and emergency management director in Harrisburg, Pa.

Mr. Bourassa is not the only one to have resigned since Chief Senecal's paid administrative leave and subsequent retirement.

On May 28, on-call firefighter Edward Chamberland resigned.

On June 18, on-call firefighter Garrett Danna resigned.

On Sept. 11, full-time firefighter Eric Roppolo resigned. In his letter of resignation, Mr. Roppolo said, "I feel the fire department is being led in a dangerous direction. From your position as chief, you have no formal or informal training as to the operation of the fire department — this can place department members at risk due to your inexperience."

On Sept. 20, Police Lt. David A. Diogo resigned to become a patrolman in the Wilbraham Police Department.

On Oct. 8, Police Officer Michael Vitols resigned.

On Oct. 18, on-call firefighter Ovidiu Ticlea resigned.

On Oct. 25, on-call firefighter Joseph Overly resigned.

In addition, John C. Marinelli requested a voluntary reduction in rank from fire captain to lieutenant; Lisa Keay, the Fire Department's administrative assistant, resigned; and the selectmen terminated the assistant to the fire chief's position, held by Vernon L. "Butch" Jackson.

"Comings and goings are part of any workplace, and I think we've been recruiting and hiring some excellent candidates to fill these positions," Town Administrator Shaun A. Suhoski said. "There's always a period of frustration and turmoil when you have a change from a 35-year leader of a department and you are moving in a new direction. We have excellent employees that are remaining with us, and we're continuing to move forward."

The Fire Chief Search Committee selected the three semifinalists from a pool of 58 candidates and invited them to participate in the next phase of the selection process.

The search committee will conduct public interviews with the semifinalists beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 in Veterans Memorial Hall, Sturbridge Town Hall.

The public is invited to submit topics or suggested interview questions to the search committee by sending email to sturbfcsc@gmail.com.

According to the town administrator's "timeline," the estimated start date for the new fire chief is Dec. 1.

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